Science Fair
WHERE TO START?
How to pick a topic?
 Think of a part of science you are interested in.
 Do you have any questions or is there anything you
ever wanted to know about that part of science?
 Research different topics/projects online or with
other resources to get ideas.
 Once you have found a topic you are interested in
make sure it’s an experiment not a demonstration.
Experiment vs. Demonstration
 A science demonstration simply shows how
something happens.

Placing Mentos in diet coke is a demonstration.
 A science experiment tests something and answers a
question.

Placing Mentos in different sodas to see which creates the
biggest reaction is an experiment.
 http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/2012/01/16/science
-fair-911-demonstrations-vs-experiments/
Question/Purpose
 Once you have picked your topic determine what is
the scientific question/problem.

EX: Which type of soda, diet coke, diet pepsi, coke zero, or
regular coke has the largest reaction when mixed with Mentos?
 Purpose: Describes why you are doing the
experiment/what you are trying to find out.

EX: The purpose of this experiment is to determine (find out)
which soda diet coke, diet pepsi, coke zero, or regular coke has
the largest reaction when mixed with Mentos.
Hypothesis
 Come up with a possible answer/explanations of the
initial question that is based on research.
 The words if and then should be used.
 EX: If diet coke has more chemicals than diet Pepsi, Coke
Zero, and regular coke then it will have the largest reaction
with the Mentos because of the composition of the Mentos.
Variables
 Before the experiment can be run all variables need
to be considered.
 Independent Variable: the ONE part of the
experiment that changes.

EX: The type of soda.
 Dependent Variable: the part of the experiment that
is measured.

EX: The height of the soda caused by the reaction with Mentos.
 Control: the parts of the experiment that remains
the same.

EX: the amount of Mentos added, the process used to add the
mentos, etc.
Endorsements
 All science fair projects need to be safe and
controlled.
 If a project involves living things: people, plants,
animals, and/or bacteria an endorsement is required
to ensure that everything is safe.
 If your project involves any of the above items check
with your teacher to make sure it is acceptable.